Act F.A.S.T. Against Stroke

(NewsUSA) - Which health condition is treatable if symptoms are identified F.A.S.T.? Stroke. Which health condition is 80 percent preventable? Stroke.

With so many preventive measures, there is no better time to educate the nation and spread awareness about stroke prevention, symptom recognition and recovery. This year, the National Stroke Association will focus its efforts on educating the public to act F.A.S.T. in the identification of stroke symptoms and spreading the message that there is hope for stroke survivors -; Stroke is a Lifelong Journey.

Most strokes can be treated. The Food and Drug Administation-approved treatment for ischemic (clot-caused) stroke is t-PA, a drug that dissolves the blood clot and restores blood flow to the brain. However, for the drug to work effectively, t-PA must be given within three hours of the first sign of stroke symptoms. This is why we are encouraging the public to act F.A.S.T.

If signs of a stroke are present, every minute counts. For every minute that brain cells are deprived of oxygen during a stroke, the likelihood of brain damage increases. Treatment can be more effective if given early on. Several new and experimental drugs may prevent, and even reverse, brain damage due to a stroke.

For the 6 million stroke survivors in the U. S., recovery and preventing a recurrent stroke is, in part, an issue of education. The National Stroke Association, in its tireless efforts to educate the public on how to identify stroke, is continuing to advocate for stroke survivors.

This May, during National Stroke Awareness Month, the core elements of stroke prevention, rehabilitation and recovery will be laced together to comprise the notion that there is "Hope: Stroke Is a Lifelong Journey."

For more information about National Stroke Awareness Month and the National Stroke Association, contact Vice President of Programs Sharon Januchowski at (303) 754-0946 or sjanuchowski@stroke.org.

"Article By: NewsUSA"